The Specials - Best Of The Specials (2 LP)

Released in the U.K. in 2008 but not appearing in the U.S. until 2014, the Best of the Specials is far and away the most generous Specials compilation ever assembled, weighing in at a hefty 20 tracks and, in its initial pressing at least, containing an accompanying 16-track DVD featuring music videos and live performance. The real meat of the collection is that CD of 20 hits and staples, the songs that made the Specials one of the most vital bands of the early '80s: all the early singles -- "Gangsters," "Ghost Town," "Message to You Rudy," "Nite Klub" -- but also "Rat Race," "Stereotypes," "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," "Racist Friend," and "Nelson Mandela." All these and more are here on a compilation that encompasses the entirety of their dynamic, sometimes chaotic, career and while their debut remains peerless, this is a good way to get a sense of the whole story. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

• Format: Vinyl
•  2 LP
• Genre: Rock, Reggae
• Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from Joco Records!

Track Listing:

A1    The Special A.K.A.*–    Gangsters    2:48
A2    The Specials feat. Rico*–    A Message To You Rudy    2:53
A3    The Specials–    Nite Klub (Album Version)    3:23
A4    The Specials–    Concrete Jungle    3:19
A5    The Special A.K.A.*–    Too Much Too Young (Live)    2:06
B1    The Specials–    Blank Expression    2:42
B2    The Specials–    Doesn't Make It Alright    3:25
B3    The Specials–    Rude Buoys Outa Jail    2:39
B4    The Specials–    Rat Race    3:10
B5    The Specials–    Man At C&A    3:36
C1    The Specials feat. Rico* with The Ice Rink String Sounds–    Do Nothing (Single Version)    3:41
C2a    The Specials–    Stereotypes    7:24
C2b    The Specials–    Stereotypes Pt 2
C3    The Specials–    International Jet Set (Album Version)    5:37
C4    The Specials–    Friday Night, Saturday Morning    3:34
C5    The Specials–    Why?    2:56
D1    The Specials–    Ghost Town (Full Version)    6:01
D2    The Special AKA–    What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend (Album Version)    4:50
D3    The Special AKA–    Racist Friend (Single Version)    4:02
D4    The Special AKA–    War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) (Single Version)    4:03
D5    The Special AKA–    Nelson Mandela (Album Version)    4:15